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Alija Izetbegovic, the first president of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a leading moral and political figure of the late 20th century, was commemorated in Istanbul with a special symphonic concert marking the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The event was held at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM), one of Istanbul’s main state-run arts venues, as part of the “Alija 100 Years Old” program organized by the Ilim Yayma Foundation.
At the center of the evening was the premiere performance of "Escape to Freedom," a symphonic poem composed by renowned Bosnian composer and conductor Professor Emir Mejremic.
Performed by the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra, the work was designed to draw listeners into Izetbegovic’s inner world, reflecting his years of imprisonment, moral discipline, and lifelong struggle to uphold human dignity.
The composition pushed beyond classical boundaries through rich orchestration, featuring violin, oboe, flute, and French horn solos. Through this musical language, Mejremic sought to reframe Izetbegovic’s intellectual position between East and West, a central theme also found in his well-known book Islam Between East and West.
Speaking at the concert, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy pointed out that authenticity stood out as one of the key concepts defining Izetbegovic’s life and thought.
Ersoy explained that for Izetbegovic, authenticity functioned not only as a moral principle but also as a way of existing, shaping his resistance to rigid ideologies and any force that narrowed human freedom.
Ersoy underlined that Izetbegovic never claimed moral perfection and consistently lived a modest life. Even during the most violent days of the Bosnian war, he avoided rhetoric driven by revenge and stayed within strict ethical boundaries.
According to Ersoy, this stance became most visible when civilians were being targeted, religious sites were destroyed, and daily life was turned upside down by violence, yet Izetbegovic refused to abandon his principles, resistance, or sense of justice.
Ilim Yayma Foundation Chairman Bilal Erdogan emphasized that Izetbegovic should be remembered not only as a head of state but also as a thinker and man of conscience who managed to stay morally consistent during one of the most fragile periods of modern history.
He described Izetbegovic as a leader who framed politics around justice, responsibility, and human dignity.
Erdogan stressed that Izetbegovic’s life showed how real struggle does not only play out on the battlefield but also begins within one’s own conscience, adding that true victory lies not in defeating others but in remaining human.
He linked this perspective to the ongoing exhibition “Alifa 100 Years Old: Life, Thought, Struggle,” jointly organized by the Ilim Yayma Foundation and the Alija Izetbegovic Foundation, where personal belongings, handwritten notes, and archival documents illustrate both what Izetbegovic did and who he was.
Composer Emir Mejremic, who received a plaque from Bilal Erdogan, said that under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership, Türkiye continues to uphold the values that existed during Izetbegovic’s presidency and that still live on through his family.
He noted that these shared values have built an unbreakable bond between the two societies and thanked the organizers for supporting the performance dedicated to figures who left lasting marks on history.
Alija Izetbegovic Foundation board member Fahrudin Rizvanbegovic recalled that President Erdogan had visited Izetbegovic one day before his death.
During that meeting, Izetbegovic reportedly asked Erdogan to show special care toward Bosnia, entrusting the country to him as a moral responsibility, a gesture described as reflecting deep trust and friendship.
The concert was attended by Istanbul Governor Davut Gul, members of the Izetbegovic family, representatives of the Alija Izetbegovic Foundation, academics, cultural figures, and guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina, reinforcing the event’s international character.
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